World Consumer Rights Day: How to recognize genuine “liquid gold” – and why GATTINO makes no compromises

By Panagiotis, Product Manager

Every year on March 15th, World Consumer Rights Day puts our rights as consumers in the spotlight. The most important of these rights? Know what you’re buying. Especially when it comes to olive oil, arguably the most “honest” product of Mediterranean cuisine, there is often confusion in front of the supermarket shelf.

How can you recognize a truly good oil, and where does GATTINO fit in? Here’s the ultimate quality check:

1. Origin: Protected Designation of Origin (PDO)

A good oil has an address. “Blend from EU countries” is often a warning sign for anonymous industrial goods.

• The GATTINO standard: Our oils proudly bear the Messara PDO seal. This means that every olive comes from the Messara plateau in Crete – a region world-renowned for its climate and the Koroneiki olive variety.

2. The packaging: Light protection is mandatory.

Olive oil is sensitive to light. UV rays destroy the valuable antioxidants and make the oil rancid.

• The GATTINO standard: We exclusively use dark glass bottles or lightproof containers. Anyone who presents their oil in clear glass bottles prioritizes appearance over quality.

3. Sensory perception: The holy trinity of taste

A good oil shouldn’t taste like “nothing.” Experts look for three characteristics: fruitiness, bitterness, and pungency. You can feel the latter as a slight scratchiness in your throat – a sign of a high polyphenol (antioxidant) content.

• The GATTINO standard: Our oils, especially the GATTINO Premium Messara PDO from organic farming, are characterized by an intense aroma of green herbs and that typical, fresh “pepper kick” in the finish.

4. Transparency through trust

Behind every good product is a person, not an anonymous corporation.

• The GATTINO standard: For us, selection is a top priority. I personally visit the site, inspect the harvest, and know the pressing times. We deliver quality directly from the tree without unnecessary middlemen.

In conclusion: At GATTINO, consumer protection means we make the decision for you. When it says GATTINO, maximum quality is guaranteed.